KANSA

Saturday, 9 August 2014

Syrian Army and Hezbollah assault on Aleppo now Imminent

Hezbollah Fighters

Syrian Army on the Streets of Aleppo

OverviewThe Syrian Army has been deploying elite units such as the 4TH armored division and the Republican Guard to the city of Aleppo. Aleppo use to be Syria's commercial hub.The Syrian army has been making gains in Aleppo recently and since July has cut off major supply routes to the rebels inside Aleppo. Soon, the rebels inside Aleppo will be running out of resources and weapons and they will soon become easy targets for the Syrian Arab army, the national defense force and the Hezbollah Militias.

Imminent AssaultThe actual assault is expected to be launched by regular shelling of targets in Aleppo and Airstrikes from the Syrian Air force. Then the city will be stormed by thousands of fighters who will also have continuous air cover. The attack could is expected to be launched within the next few months. The Syrian army can not besiege Aleppo for too long as military resources are needed else where (particularly in Deir-Ez Zour and Raqqa to fight of ISIS militants and retake the oil fields of Deir-Ez Zour.) The attack on Aleppo will primarily be from the south.

The end in sight?Retaking the rest of Aleppo will be a major blow to the opposition and will also allow residents to return to their homes in Aleppo.

The front lines in Aleppo

Which rebels are in Aleppo?The fighters in Aleppo are mainly from Al Nusra and the so called " Free Syria Army." ISIS is also present in some parts of Aleppo. Fighters in Aleppo have described Al Nusra as the "special forces" of Aleppo but it is expected that they will not be able to hold off the assault.